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Friday, June 25, 2010

Taylor vs. Tyler: 2010 NHL Entry Draft

VS.

(No, not those two)

Tonight is the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It is a night that most up and coming hockey players dream of since they begin their careers at an early age. The draft itself spills over into Saturday with rounds 2-7. Anyone interested in catching all the "action" can tune in on either Versus in the US or TSN and RDS in Canada, but I'm sure anyone from Canada that is reading this already knows that.

The debate around the water cooler is who goes first? I think with this years draft class, it really isn't going to make much difference either way. The top two prospects (...top 4 if you ask me) are both well equiped for any type of situation they may face in their transition to the NHL. This year we find the two top dogs being Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. Logically, Edmonton with the first pick, has a no brainer situation here. Either player is going to provide them with the upgrade they need to become a viable playoff caliber team.

VS.

(These two.)

For Boston, leftovers aren't something to groan about since one of these two will also be a welcome addition to their team. Boston came oh so close to making it to the Stanley Cup and I think the rigors of the season finally caught up to them in the end. Young talent, like Taylor and Tyler both possess, will most certainly aid in preventing that year end stall out that teams keep having.

Bottom line here is you can't go wrong with either choice.

If I were a betting man (and I am), I would say that Taylor hall has a slight edge over Tyler in terms of going to Edmonton. They need a winger that can be a leader right away and make an impact on the team out of the starting gate. Hall is already battle ready, having lead the Windsor Spitfires to the Memorial Cup. Expect the Oilers to draft him quickly.

That leaves Tyler to go to the Bruins. In my opinion, Tyler has a slight edge in skills and a much bigger upside in the long run. The problem here is the Bruins need another first line center like they need a hole in the head. I can see Seguin making the team from day one without having to spend much time in the minors. The only issue I see here is whether he can keep a job long term with Bergeron, Savard, and Krecji in front of him. Sadly, an injury to any one of those three could give him the big break he needs. I think whoever goes to Boston will make the fans say Kessel, who?

Here is my prediction for the Top 10. Argue all you want about positioning. This is why I blog and am not a beat writer.

6) Tampa Bay - Brett Connolly (W), they need a winger for the Stamkos line

7) Carolina - Nino Niederreiter (W), they need a winger too so this could be a swap with #6

8) Atlanta - Jack Campbell (G), the first goalie to go in the draft, and boy do they need one

9) Minnesota - Ryan Johansen (C), an Eric Staal style centerman

10) New York Rangers - Emerson Etem (C), the Rangers need speed at center and Etem is probably the fastest skater in the draft. Plus he can score.

My hopes for the Pens...with the 23rd pick I can see a Dylan McIlrath if he falls that far. They need a defenseman for the future and Dylan is by far the grittiest of this years draft. I could also see Petr Straka at this pick. He is a highly skilled winger and above all, a playmaker. That's what the Pens need. Realistically, they may be tempted by a goalie with this pick, especially if the top tier D-men and scoring wingers are swiped up early. Maybe a Calvin Pickard or even Jack Campbell if he falls this far (I doubt it).

UPDATE:

Well my picks weren't very good. The obvious 1, 2, & 6 were pretty much my only hits. The Thrashers, Wild, and Rangers all went a little nuts with their picks and ruined my bracket.

True on the centerman for the Oilers. I have said this the entire time these two were labeled the overall first and second picks. I think Seguin is going to have the better career in the long run but how can you pass on Hall who is ready now?

My kids saw Seguin for (perhaps) one last time at an appearance at a Tim Horton's 3 weeks ago and he signed a great deal of stuff, took pictures and said "good-bye".

For what it is worth, for the moment, Seguin cannot spend any time in the minors as he is too young to play in the AHL. If he does not make the Bruins next year, he has to go back to Juniors. It would be nice to see him one more year with the Whalers but obviously we are rooting for him to be with the Bruins next year.

As to whether Taylor or Tyler is better, it is probably a toss up. We have seen both of them play numerous times with their teams being rivals and they are very close. Hall does not shy away from contact which may not serve him well in the NHL as he is not huge. Seguin is "hockey smart" which people will see when they get a chance to see him. He doesn't try to bull through defenders like Hall does. He is also the better playmaker but then again he is a center.

That's cool that you got to see them play "before they were stars". I agree it's a toss up as to who should be picked but like I said in my post, I think Hall is ready now but Seguin has the biggest upside over time.